Wednesday, May 21, 2014

On Wednesday, May 21, 2014, Engine 513 was requested by the State of Arizona to respond to the Slide Fire burning near Sedona, Az. The Slide Fire began on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 around 4 pm when a fire was sparked in Oak Creek Canyon, just north of the Slide Rock State Park which rapidly gained momentum and began burning up the canyon charring 400 acres by 10 pm.

At this time the fire is 400 acres, with 0% containment and being investigated.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

On May 2, 2014 at 2:06 pm, E521 and C501 received an alarm for a structure fire in the 11000 block of south Highway 93. Units arrived on scene to find two mobile homes that had burnt to the ground and spread to the brush. Firefighters quickly extinguished the brush fire which was held to a tenth of an acre and began suppressing the mobile homes which were a complete loss.

The structures were unoccupied and being demolished when the fire broke out which was caused by the improper disposal of a cigarette according to the demolition crew on scene. Firefighters spent 2 hours on scene overhauling the fire, no injuries were reported.

On May 1, 2014 around 7:05 pm, E511, E513 and C501 were dispatched for smoke in the area between exit 59 and exit 66 on Interstate 40. At roughly mile marker 65, C501 advised he could see a fire which appeared to be a structure about 4 miles north of the Interstate and west of exit 66. Resources arrived on scene in the area of East Horseback Trail and Savvy Way to find two mobile homes fully involved as well as multiple vehicles and brush. Crews deployed a CAFS attack line and began containing the brushfire. Firefighters were unable to initially suppress the structures due to roughly 8 propane tanks in varying sizes venting as well as other explosions from an unknown source. Both engines began suppressing the fire and overhauling once it was safe to do so.

A homeowner was assessed and refused transport to the hospital by AMR for possible smoke inhalation on scene. The cause of the fire was due to the homeowner attempting to burn an unoccupied trailer on his property which quickly spread to his residence, also igniting 3 out buildings, 2 vehicles and a boat which were all complete losses. Crews were on scene for approximately 3 hours.

Story by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District Photos by Captain Gail Jackson and Firefighter James Bevins, Pinion Pine Fire District